Press Report - Thirty Meter Telescope Science Forum 2017

07.11.2017

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is a unique project to build one of the most advanced large telescopes in the world. The project is a result of an international partnership between India, Canada, China, Japan and institutes from the USA. When operational, it will help uncover hitherto unknown and even unexpected details of our vast Universe. TMT is hosting its fifth annual ‘TMT Science Forum’ from November 7-9, 2017, at the Infosys campus in Mysore, India. The annual Science Forum gathers members of the international astronomical community to meet, collaborate, and plan for future TMT science programs, instrumentation and adaptive optics systems. Hundreds of scientists, engineers, students, educators and public relations experts from around the world are gathering to discuss and shape the future of TMT next generation instruments. The local efforts of the gathering have been led by the India-TMT team at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), the leading institute in the partner effort from India. There has been help from other Indian institutes like the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics (IUCAA), Aryabhatta Research Institute for Observational Sciences (ARIES) and the Tata Insititute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
The theme for this year’s forum is "Beyond First Light.” First light is the term given to the opening of any brand new telescope to the skies for the first time. Prof. Eswar Reddy (IIA), TMT board member from India, expresses his positive opinion - “The telescope will come up for the use by future generations in the coming decade and this is the amazing opportunity to bring together people across the partnership.”
The Science Forum is the premier opportunity to learn about TMT project, to discuss its capabilities, and to join in shaping the observatory’s future. Ms. Devika Divakar (IIA), a Ph.D. student who is attending the forum says, “This is a great exposure and also allows me to have a face-to-face meeting with the international experts working in my group, which leads to a learning experience with more clarity. I look forward to the talks as they will give a more global perspective of the project that I did not have earlier.”
The meeting will feature presentations about the main science questions to be answered by TMT next-generation instruments, and the novel technologies permitting to address these questions.
Parallel sessions to present and discuss concepts for next generation instruments will be organized by the TMT International Science Development Teams (ISDTs). Topical workshops will also be organized around the dates of the Forum to provide in-depth discussion about future instrument capabilities for TMT, such as high-resolution spectroscopy, high-contrast exoplanet imaging, and the first-generation science instrument Wide-Field Optical Spectrometer (WFOS). Prof. A. N. Ramaprakash (IUCAA), Associate Programme Director, India-TMT, and an expert in instrumentation says “Making the right instruments is extremely important because instruments define what scientific discoveries can be made using a telescope.” Dr. Mark Dickinson (University of Arizona), member of TMT science advisory committee, says “For five years now, the TMT Forum has been a uniquely important opportunity for scientists from the international TMT partnership to meet one another face-to-face, and to start planning future science programs with this observatory.” “Everytime a new generation of telescopes is built unimaginable visions of the world we live, in have opened up. Telescopes like TMT will herald the next giant leap of mankind into the world of unknowns. India is proudly part of this leap.” says Ramaprakash.
Website: Details about the science program will be continuously updated on the forum website.
Please see https://conference.ipac.caltech.edu/tmtsf2017/
For Detail / Contacts:
Samir Dhurde – samir@iucaa.in,
Phone: 09422366819

Press Release on TMT Alternate Site

31 Mar,2017

TMT International Observatory and Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) Sign Agreement on Hosting the Thirty Meter Telescope in La Palma, Spain

"PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – Clearing a major milestone to construct and operate the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) in La Palma, Canary Islands, the TMT International Observatory (TIO) and Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) today signed a hosting agreement. While Maunakea in Hawaii continues to be the preferred choice for the location of the TMT, the hosting agreement defines how the alternative site will be available if Maunakea proves infeasible.

“This is an important step for TMT,” said TMT Executive Director Ed Stone. “We want to ensure we have by April 2018 a site suitable to start construction should Maunakea not be feasible. We now have a signed agreement and are moving ahead with the appropriate government approvals so that everything will be in place if needed.”

The bilateral hosting agreement governs the conditions for hosting TMT at Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) on La Palma, its future operation and eventual demolition, removal and restoration of the site. Among the terms of the 75-year agreement are the right to construct and operate, the use of the land, access to infrastructure and common services, and headquarters facilities in La Palma and Tenerife. In return, Spain will receive 10 percent of the observation time, once operational.

Already the site of diverse international observatories, ORM provides exceptional conditions for astronomical observations. It offers an excellent site for TMT’s core science goals.

“We are excited about the possibility of welcoming TMT to the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos on La Palma,” said IAC Director Rafael Rebolo. “The capacity for outstanding astronomical discoveries is beyond thrilling. This hosting agreement serves well TIO, Spain and the worldwide astronomy community.”

Added Caltech Professor and TIO board member Tom Soifer, “The true spirit of collaboration between TIO and Spain has been really uplifting. We thank the IAC and Spain for their tremendous support and for the warm welcome to ORM.”

About TMT:

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project has been developed as collaboration among the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the University of California (UC), the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy (ACURA), and the national institutes of Japan, China, and India. The TMT International Observatory LLC (TIO), a non-profit organization, was established in May 2014 to carry out the construction and operation phases of the TMT Project. The Members of TIO are Caltech, UC, the National Institutes of Natural Sciences of Japan, the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Department of Science and Technology of India, and the National Research Council (Canada); the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a TIO Associate. Major funding has been provided by the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation.

The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) is a public research organization funded by the Governments of Spain (Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad MINECO) and the Canary Islands with participation of the University of La Laguna and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. The IAC hosts two Observatories (Teide and Roque de los Muchachos) where research institutions from more than 20 countries operate optical, infrared and microwave telescopes including the Spanish 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias.

31 Oct, 2016

"STATEMENT REGARDING SELECTION OF ALTERNATE SITE FOR TMT"

The TMT International Observatory Board of Governors met last week to discuss the progress of TMT in Hawaii and to consider potential alternate sites. To follow is a statement from Henry Yang, Chair of the TMT International Observatory Board:

"The TMT International Observatory (TIO) Board of Governors has explored a number of alternative sites for TMT. Every site we considered would enable TMT’s core science programs.

After careful deliberation, the Board of Governors has identified Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) on La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain as the primary alternative to Hawaii.

Maunakea continues to be the preferred choice for the location of the Thirty Meter Telescope, and the TIO Board will continue intensive efforts to gain approval for TMT in Hawaii. TIO is very grateful to all of our supporters and friends throughout Hawaii, and we deeply appreciate their continued support."

27 Mar, 2016

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is an international project being funded by scientific organizations of Canada, China, India, Japan and USA.The project expected to start construction on Mauna Kea, Hawaii in 2015. However, it is now stalled due to the recent decision of the Supreme court of Hawaii revoking the construction permit on procedural grounds. The State of Hawaii agencies are working on the permit process following the prescribed procedure by the court. TMT is pursuing the matter in consultation with the University of Hawaii ( land lease holder) and other agencies. TMT continues to respect the rights of the indigenous peoples of Hawaii as it seeks to construct TMT on Mauna Kea which is the preferred choice.Given the large investments that have already been made and committed, some of the project partners are also looking at alternate sites both in the northern and southern hemispheres. It is expected that on-site civil work on the project may be delayed by about 18-24 months. However, work on telescope and observatory subsystems continues across the partnership.